Rolling mill

ABSTRACT

A device for controlling and adjusting the cooling and lubricating liquid flow in multi-stand rolling mills for metal bars and wire.

[151 3,668,911 [451 June 13, 1972 United States Patent Properzi [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 499,431 6/1893 ROLLINGMILL [72] Inventor:

Via Vittor Pisani 8, Milan,

Ilario Properlj, Italy Judd.............. 986,176 3/1911 Judd.... 2,033,046 3/1936 Montgomery. 3,138,483 6/1964 Dettling et a1. 3,192,757 7/1965 Dio1ot............ 3,389,590 6/1968 Diolot FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 463,523 3/1950 Canada........

1968, Pat; No. 3,552,164.

Primary ExaminerCharIes W. Lanham [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Assistant Examiner-E. M. Combs May 27, 1969 ltaly........

AttomeyGuido Modiano and Albert Josif 1 nm 3e mm m 05 m 1. m m .mm T q C 3% m... 6 m A mm H ow no nfl mm u rq i a 0 mm 1. mm m 1 1 2 0 4nfl2m W24 1 mq a l 1 2 ,1 m &9 2 m, w in 7 m .1 9 "3 m 2,4 2 m 7 "Mm m W2 m WJW I, .3 W d s P U .mn. 1] 2 8 s 55 i.

3 Claim, 6 Drawing figures PATENTEBJUN 1 3 I972 SHEET 10F 3 INVENTOR. ILARIO PROPERZI 6 AGENT E FIFIF I nnn 1 PAIENTEDJUN 13 I972 SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTOR.

ILARIO PROPERZI AG NT PATENTEnJuu 1 3 I972 SHEET 3 BF 3 INVENTOR.

IL-ARIO PROPERZI ROLLING MILL CROSS- REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a continuation-in-part application of my copending application Ser. No. 7061378, filed Feb. 19, 1968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,552,164. v v

. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present, invention relates to a device for controlling and adjusting the cooling and lubricating liquid flow for multistand rolling mills for metal bars and wire.

In my prior Pat. application Ser. No. 706,378 now U.S. Pat.

No. 3,552,164 outlet guides facing at a short distance the inlet guides of a subsequent unit, are provided in each rolling unit, so that the exhaust of the cooling and lubricating liquid through the space between the said guides protects the metal being rolled against contact with the gas in the atmosphere, while passing from one rolling unit to the subsequent one. In the practice of the invention it was found that the above mentioned system for protecting the product being processed in the space between the rolling units, can be further improved in order to obtain a more efficient and rational rolling apparatus.

SUMMARY or, THE INVENTION The main object of the present invention is that of providing a device for controlling and adjusting the cooling and lubricating liquid flow of improved type through which the liquid quantity covering both the bar or-wire being rolled and the rolling surfaces of the rolls may be adjusted even in the space between one rolling unit and the adjacent one.-

Another important object of the invention is that of providing adevice of the above specified type which may be manu factured and installed in a simple and rapid way on multi-stand rolling mills of various type.

These and still further objects are attained by a device for controlling and adjusting the cooling and lubricating liquid flow for multi stand rolling mills, according to the invention, which device is characterized in that it comprises cup or sump elements mounted in the path of the product being rolled at the rolling axis and arranged to connect each rolling unit to the adjacent ones, each cup, element being arranged to keep the cooling and lubricating liquid between a unit and the subsequent one and provided with adjusting means to establish a selected level variable, at will, of the said liquid.

- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS stand rolling mill provided with a device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of a cup element of the device taken between two subsequent units;

FIG. 3 shows in a longitudinal view taken along the rolling axis the detail of the connection between two adjacent units;

FIG. 4 shows a detail in FIG. 2 in an enlarged scale;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a detail in FIG. 4, where the closing plate has been removed for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 6 is a view according to the arrow VI in FIG. 4. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to such figures the device according to the invention is applied to a rolling mill having units 1 of the type including three rolling rolls spaced at an angular distance of 120 around a rolling axis and convergent to the same axis.

The rolling units could also be indifferently of only two opposite roll type. Such units are removably mounted on a bed 2 by means of dovetail guides 3.

According to the present invention between two adjacent units cup or sump elements 4 are arranged, each of which consists of a pair of flanges 5 substantially semi-circular in shape to be applied by means of screws 6 to the side surfaces of the adjacent units 1, and a metal strap 7 of small thickness designed to be inserted into respective grooves 7a formed in the said flanges 5. Said grooves have a partially curvilinear shape according to that of the flanges 5. More precisely each flange 5 has a lower curved section (FIG. 2) merging into two straight sections 5a and 5b of different length; the said flanges are secured with the curved section lying below the rolling axis. The metal strap 7 has the ends arranged above the rolling axis of the rolling units and maybe manually caused to slide along the grooves 7a in order to vary at'will the level of the weir 8 of the cooling and lubricating liquid'which is collected in the receptacle defined by the metal strap 7 (FIG. 2). The level 8a of the liquid in the cup elements 4 (FIG. 2) can thus be varied at will.

In FIG. 3 there are partially visible rolls 9, the fixed guides 10 mounted in entrance and exit apertures ofthe side surfaces and the guiding rollers 11 mounted at the entry in a respective box 12. The cooling and lubricating liquid reaches the guides 10 and the rollers 11 through passages 13. Furthermore in each unit 1 the cooling and lubricating liquid enters from above and is discharged from below through one or more outlet openings controlled by adjustable valves and suitably calibrated bores. The calibration is effectedin such a manner as the gaps around the cylinders 9 are filled of cooling and lubricating liquid (usually an emulsion of oil in water) up to a level higher than the rolling axes.

In order to operate the movement of the metal strap 7 adjusting means are provided which comprise a block 14 secured at the end of the strap 7 opposite that forming the threshold of the weir 8. Such block may slide between two guiding means such as the side guides 15 formed in the straight sections 5b of the flanges 5 and provided with racks l6 co-operating with toothed portions 17a of two levers 17 fulcrumed at 18 on the block 14. The two levers 17 are symmetrically arranged with respect to a central projection 14a of the block 14 and connected to one another by resilient means such as a spring 19 which urges the toothed portions 17a into engagement with the racks 16. At the opposite end the levers l7 terminate with curved portions arranged to permit the holding thereof in order to be approached to oneanother, thus disengaging the portions 17a from the racks 16. The. racks 16, the levers l7 and the spring 19 define the locking means for the block 14 and the strap 7.

A plate 21 which is used to hold the block 14 on the guides 15, is secured to a projection through four screws 20. The metal strap 7 is secured to the block 14 by means of a traverse element 22 and relative screws 23. In order to facilitate the adjusting of the level there are provided a graduation 24 on a side guide 15 and a relative pointer 25 (FIG. 5) on the plate 21.

From the above the operation of the device should be clear.

By manually moving the metal straps 7 the level 8a of the lubricant liquid may be suitably adjusted in such a manner as to completely or partially cover the rolled product. In case the product being rolled is totally immersed, it is completely protected from contact with the gas in the atmosphere, thus reducing the oxidation effects.

The movement of the metal straps 7 takes place by appreaching to one another the levers 17 so as to disengage the portions 17a from the racks l6 and causing the block 17 to slide upwards or downwards until the desired position is reached which may be read on the graduation 24. While leaving the levers 17, the spring 19 brings the portions 17a back into an engagement position with the racks 16 in order to fix the block 14 in the reached position.

In this manner the height of the threshold of the weir 8 is adjusted so that the liquid level is maintained such as both the bars or wire being rolled and the rolling surfaces of the rolls 9 remain immersed.

In order to dismantle the units 1, it is sufficient to remove the metal straps 7 together with the blocks 14 from the relative units, after which the latter are disengaged from the adjacent ones.

As may be noted the device according to the invention is simple to manufacture and permits an easy control of the cooling and lubricating liquid flow.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and changes which are intended to be included in the scope thereof.

In practice the used materials as well as dimensions could be any according to the requirements and also all elements can be substituted with other technically equivalent means.

I claim:

1. A device for controlling and adjusting the cooling and lubricating liquid flow in multi-stand rolling mills for metal bars and wire in the space between one rolling unit and the adjacent one, wherein each of said units have side surfaces and entrance and exit apertures for the material to be worked and means for introducing said cooling and lubricating liquid into said units and near said entrance and exit apertures, said device comprising flange means provided on said side surfaces and each defining one at least partially curvilinear groove thereinside, said at least partially curvilinear groove extending substantially below the rolling axis of said rolling units, a metal strap slidably insertable inside said at least partially curvilinear grooves of the flanges of two adjacent of said units for defining a receptacle for the cooling and lubricating liquid between said units, said metal strap having ends arranged above said rolling axis for causing said liquid inside said receptacle to assume a level such as to cover said material to be worked when passing between said units, and means for adjusting said metal strap to establish a selected level of said liquid inside said receptacle according to the position assumed by the lower one of said ends of said metal strap.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting said metal strap comprises a block secured to the upper one of said ends of said metal strap, guiding means for said block arranged on said flange means for slidably displacing said block on said flanges and said metal strap inside said grooves, and means for locking said block on said guiding means in various adjusting positions for varying the threshold of the weir for said liquid formed by the lower one of said ends of said metal strap.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said locking means for said block comprises at least a rack secured to said guiding means, lever means pivoted on said block and provided with toothed portions for engaging with said rack and resilient means for urging said lever means and said toothed portions in engagement with said rack. 

1. A device for controlling and adjusting the cooling and lubricating liquid flow in multi-stand rolling mills for metal bars and wire in the space between one rolling unit and the adjacent one, wherein each of said units have side surfaces and entrance and exit apertures for the material to be worked and means for introducing said cooling and lubricating liquid into said units and near said entrance and exit apertures, said device comprising flange means provided on said side surfaces and each defining one at least partially curvilinear groove thereinside, said at least partially curvilinear groove extending substantially below the rolling axis of said rolling units, a metal strap slidably insertable inside said at least partially curvilinear grooves of the flanges of two adjacent of said units for defining a receptacle for the cooling and lubricating liquid between said units, said metal strap having ends arranged above said rolling axis for causing said liquid inside said receptacle to assume a level such as to cover said material to be worked when passing between said units, and means for adjusting said metal strap to establish a selected level of said liquid inside said receptacle according to the position assumed by the lower one of said ends of said metal strap.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for adjusting said metal strap comprises a block secured to the upper one of said ends of said metal strap, guiding means for said block arranged on said flange means for slidably displacing said block on said flanges and said metal strap inside said grooves, and means for locking said block on said guiding means in various adjusting positions for varying the threshold of the weir for said liquid formed by the lower one of said ends of said metal strap.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said locking means for said block comprises at least a rack secured to said guiding means, lever means pivoted on said block and provided with toothed portions for engaging with said rack and resilient means for urging said lever means and said toothed portions in engagement with said rack. 